I have bleached it (at home) for approx 4 years but late last year I decided to start having it done at the hairdressers.
I only bleach the roots each time as not to keep damaging my hair. I also put a semi-permanent pink dye on it late last year. I went to have my roots done and the remaining pink stripped out last thursday.
I always get an itchy scalp when the bleach is on and it often goes quite pink but I took this to be a normal side affect. However as time went on and the bleach was spread throughout all my hair I could see myself turning very red!
My entire face/neck/chest/arms/ears were red perhaps a bit puffy too. It was itchy but not burning/stinging on my scalp. I also felt quite light-headed.
It was rinsed off and my hairdresser could see I was red but he said he wasn't "too concerned" as bleach doesn't have chemicals like normal hair dye.
The roots were still a little yellow and there was some pink residue in the length - I needed a second application. However we decided to leave it for that day as I was obviously reacting.
I left and felt OK...I took an antihistamine tablet, had some water and felt quite lightheaded/naseous for a while but was fine.
I went back the following morning and had my second lot. 20 minutes into it I was going red (worse than before!) and I was developing a hive type rash on my arms/chest.
Now this time my scalp was actually stinging (the hairdresser insisted it was just something I had to deal with in order to be bleached perfectly) As I'm not a crybaby I put up with it and was hoping for the best.
This time it was rinsed with cool water (a HUGE godsend!) and blowdried on a cooler setting. I was still red and a bit queasy.
Anyway I left and was glad to have the colouring right. Again I took an antihistamine and within 4 hours or so was feeling fine.
That was Friday, on Saturday and Sunday my neck was in agony from a swollen gland (the left side on the back of my head about an inch up from the hairline), it honestly felt like someone was axing me over and over!
Come this morning my neck is still swollen and tender but not in constant pain. I have a VERY flaky scalp
Just been to the doctors and he said yes the swollen glands are just an effect of the reaction and they will go down on their own. Fine. He also said it can just be that we develop reactions where we never had them before (he wasn't particularly helpful/interested).
This is my issue - does this now mean I can't bleach my hair?! What on earth am I meant to do when my roots come through?? I have naturally dark blonde hair and would only EVER want to be light blonde.
If ANYONE can help I would be very very grateful, I've googled for what seems like ages to no avail
Thankyou for reading!
